Chapter 123: The Marches Have a Deep History of Pettiness

Chapter 123: The Marches Have a Deep History of Pettiness

She had thrown the proverbial gauntlet and a rush of excitement and anticipation filled her. The man from Golden Cow looked taken aback at first, but his expression was quickly replaced by contempt.

Well see, young lady. Well see. He turned around and marched back down the street, towards the mercantile in the plaza.

Tori had no doubt that hed contact the cow man to report her unruly behavior. She knew how arrogant she sounded, but she was confident. She may not have been the heroine of the game, but she was still a transmigrator. That came with its own particular set of skills.

Should we be wary of them? Henrik asked behind her. She turned around and walked back into the building.

Ive been wary of them since they stole our designs, Tori replied. Actually, since I realized he was a love interest, but no one would understand that. Lets proceed as normal. When we bring our employees, I will do so personally and each one will have their own identification token. If they dont have a token, dont let them in.

The rest of the day was spent running additional errands and stopping at Daybreak Garden so Tori could ask if a blade could be put in her lion's head cane. She ignored Henriks look of concern as one of the master smiths assured her it was possible. She left behind her cane to be hollowed out and prepared for a blade.

Is that necessary? Ewan asked as they got back on to the carriage. You already have a dagger. It was currently strapped on her forearm, beneath her billowy sleeve.

I know, but I just think having a blade in a cane is a novel and interesting idea. What could be more villainous than a sword hidden in a cane? Are you going to wait here while I go to my dress fitting at Madam Midstrom's?

Well come with you and wait in the front, Axton said. Just in case youre confronted again.

Ewan nodded. She does seem to attract people who work for the cow man.

Tori rolled her eyes. It wasnt as if she was trying. I appreciate your concern. They followed her for her fitting and when Tori came out, they were inside a large, circular pitch tent Master Midstrom was working on, praising how large it was.

She squinted. It was as if she were watching children in the toy aisle. Tori rubbed her head and ushered them out. They parted ways with Axton and returned to the delta with some knights.

When she arrived, Bridget came to meet her with news: Gideon and Fabian were already on a boat and heading to the delta.

Why cant he return by land? Tori looked up as she slumped on her seat at her desk, her mouth agape with indignation. They know were not an actual port, dont they?

We know, but returning by ship was not only the fastest way to return to Horizon, but also deemed the safest. With my husband and Kasen investigating, we were concerned that there would be unrest in groups who infiltrated Soleil. The journey from Kings Harbor to Horizon is almost two weeks long by land, but a week or so by ship.

In addition, our crew are all made up of our people. We can be more confident of the second princes safety, Bridget told her as she stood in front of Toris desk.

For a moment, it was a bit strange. While Bridget was the daughter of a former marquis, her title was a courtesy title. Tori was now a titular countess and ranked higher. However, as children of marquis, Bridget was older than her and so within their subculture, Bridget had the higher status.

It was uncomfortable for Tori to be seated while her older cousin was standing. Tori leaned forward and motioned for Bridget to take a seat.

Then, do you know if the palace has arranged for their transport to Horizon from Viclya? Tori asked. She made a face. I dont have to host them in the interim, do I?

Bridget grinned. The imperial palace has been notified, so the carriage and knights wholl escort them back will arrive before them. No one says you must host them.

So...I can usher them directly from the dock to the carriage?

I dont see why not.

A relieved look filled Toris face as she nodded as she leaned back. Thats fine then. Well do that.

How much do you dislike the second prince? Bridget asked, her grin widening. I heard you fought with his personal knight.

It wasnt a fight. It was a fair duel and I won. Tori sat up proudly. And as you know, they started it. They were rude to me first.

Do all your friends feel the same? Bridget raised a curious brow. I heard the Vissage twins are in the midst of practice hunts in preparation for the Empress birthday hunt in the Fekete Duchy. Ava told me that theyre going to compete against the second prince and his knight.

Tori let out a sigh and explained conditions of the hunt, including how the twins were joining Piers hunting party not so much to honor the Empress, but to deal some disappointment to the second prince and the Emperor.

Im aware Im being petty.

No, no. Youd be surprised what pettiness can do, Bridget said. The marches have a deep history of pettiness.

Tori cocked her head to the side. What?

Why do you think Anlar, Sur, and Osten can fund navies and armies, as well as run their marches with enough money to spare to fund your project? Bridget smirked. Tori shook her head, indicating that she didnt know. Shed always been curious, but she figured it had to do with trade and business. She was partially correct. As you know, marches also engage in peacekeeping and law enforcement, particularly in matters on our borders and across multiple territories that cant be contained by a local force. Those are generally large matters. In the past thousands of years, how many pirates, bandits, thieves, illegal trading rings, and the like do you think weve ended?Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Tori furrowed her brows. A lot.

Bridget chuckled. Soleil does not have the finances to support such a military by itself and run a flourishing empire; it must be supported by the marches. The only thing Soleil can do is exempt us from particular taxes, so long as those taxes are put back into our military. But we needed to start somewhere, and we started by taking stolen loot and the accumulated wealth from seized parties.

If business were particularly lucrative and useful to a community, we would make it a legitimate business and take over. After so many years, many of the businesses in the marches are at least partially owned by their march. Through that, we were well equipped to do international trade. Of course, now, we have a system in place where victims of theft can report their losses and when the thieves and their loot are captured, the losses are returned. Unclaimed loot is kept. All of this started because the marches believed that if Soleil couldnt pay them, then theyd have to do it themselves and purposely didnt send any unclaimed loot back to the empire. Bridget shrugged her shoulders and smirked. Pettiness.

Tori grimaced. Shouldnt this cause a power imbalance if the marches have too much money? Wouldnt the imperial family be displeased with the amount of wealth and military power the marches have?

The imperial family did the same in the beginning to fund the empires growth. It isnt as if theyre incapable. And there have been cases where the power of the marches was contested, Bridget said with a nod. She took a deep breath and leaned back. There are hundreds of instances in our history where this has been a problem, but we have survived due to a careful and rigorously maintained balance. The imperial family knows that to protect a peaceful, prospering empire, we must always be prepared for war. This includes preparing against internal threats as well.

The marches know that a stable, unified central power allows us to do what we need to do without worrying much about domestic matters and international relations. Its not a perfect relationship, and there are always those on either side that want to exploit their position, but we, the marches, came from a warrior class loyal to our chief and, in thousands of years, it has not faded. The tribe is only so strong as its unification and our relationship is mutually beneficial.

Weve also married into the imperial family, Tori said. It was obvious that it was done to solidify relationships. The Empress was the most recent example, though it was a love match. In this way, the imperial family was part of the marches by blood.

Bridget nodded. Our blood ties are thick.

Tori lowered her eyes. What would happen if a march rebelled?

Bridget took another deep breath and was quiet for a moment. Why would a march rebel? Ruling such an empire is a headache.

Not an insurrection, but what if the imperial family wronged them, Tori said. Her eyes shifted to the side. Lets say...wrongful death?

Bridget let out a small laugh and shook her head. They give us minor inconveniences all the time. Your peerage for example. But it wouldnt be worth the internal strife to betray a march like that. Though, it has happened. We are a several thousand-year-old empire, after all. The imperial family deals with troublemaking family members the way the marches do. They are removed from positions of power or....

Or killed. Tori was aware. Blood was thick, but there was no hesitation to cut off a diseased limb.

If youre worried that your animosity towards the second prince will cause problems, dont be, Bridget said as she leaned forward with an amused smile. He should know that he should do what is best for the empire by now, as do you. After all, you accepted the peerage.

Tori groaned and leaned back. You know I cant reject it. How would it look if I did?

It would look bad, but it has its benefits as well as drawbacks. You have the marches behind you, Tori. There is nothing to be afraid of.

Tori nodded and remained slumped against her chair. Bridget seemed to notice that she looked tired, so she excused herself. She still had to prepare their things to leave in a few days.

They didnt know if the ship carrying Gideon planned to arrive the day Bridget and the kids were leaving, but it did.

Tori was having breakfast with the family on the deck by the beach when the watchtower called to report that a new ship had entered the bay.

She brought a piece of sausage to her lips and saw the comcry on the table light up. Ava, who was seated on her lap, tried to get it with her sticky fingers, but Tori swept it up before she could touch it with her jam-covered hands. Tori flipped the cover open and slid her finger across as she saw the name of the watch tower appear.

This is Countess Guevera.

My lady, a Soleil naval vessel Anlar Stingray has entered the bay.

Tori furrowed her brows and looked across at Bridget. Bridget looked up from her coffee and seemed to nod in understanding. Stingray is the capital ship of the Anlar Fleet. Its Andrews ship; hes escorting the second prince.

Uncle Andy is coming! Ava perked up and looked excited.

Understood, Tori said into the comcry. Send an escort ship to direct it to the loading island.

Yes, my lady.

Tori closed her comcry and looked back at her cousin. I didnt know Andy was escorting them.

Hes on assignment right now and the route circles the gulf. It was either going to be him or Deidre.

It made sense that the second prince would be escorted by someone in the OTuagh family. That means the entourage from the imperial family should be arriving soon to pick them up. Ill wait for them. She finished the remaining sausages on her plate and then lifted Ava.

She stood up and put Ava back on the seat. Her entire day was cleared so she could spend time with her little cousins. The crystal talismans shed prepared were ready and before they left after lunch, she wanted to gift it to them. She also had several games to send along with them, sweets that had been prepared, and clothing.

By the time you return from the hunt and the banquet, we should be in Tres Arcos and on the way to Presidio, her mother said as she held Tori against her and rested her head against hers. If you have any questions or need clarification on your duties as countess, you will call me.

Yes, Mama.

I would stay longer, but if your Papa and I do, then wed be obligated to go to the banquet, Antonia said, still holding Tori. She narrowed her eyes and glared in the direction of Horizon. Her voice dropped and was filled with vitriol. And I dont want to see that little silver-haired bastard.

Yes, Papa may lose his temper and do something unsightly. Gregorio chuckled and his words sounded like a joke, but Tori could feel the sincerity in them. She swallowed and gave her parents a reassuring smile.

I will represent Cosora and the family well. Dont worry.

You just have to attend, her father told her gently as he stroked the top of her head. After the formal greeting, you dont have to talk to any of them. Especially not the first prince. In fact, you can leave after the greeting.

Toris lips pulled into a line. I see....

I will miss you, my baby. Antonia squeezed her once more and Tori was passed to her father before her parents reluctantly boarded Sur Oro. Tori stood on the landing island, watching the ship sail away and sniffled.

Shed long accepted that whatever feelings she had for her Soleil family were influenced by Victoria, and she had no problem with that. She was fairly sure that even without Victoria, she would love this family. Perhaps not to the extent that she did now, but it was easy to love the Gueveras.

Every time she was with them, and her extended family, she grew to love them a little more.

Duchess Feketes invitation said that they would provide bows and arrows for us if we dont have our own, JP said as he handed Tori a rather thick envelope. But weve decided to bring ours, as were used to them.

She didnt say there were any restrictions on the particular kind of bow or arrows and Dedes arrows are specifically for hunting, Sonia added. Tori read the contents of the invitation envelope and nodded.

They left the inn halfway between Viclya and Granite Tower that morning and would arrive at Granite Tower before sunset. The Fekete Duchy was next to the Cosora Delta, so it didnt take long to enter its territory, however the Granite Tower was about a days travel inside.

Their imperial carriage was escorted by four imperial knights and two female Guevera knights who were assigned to Tori until she returned to Lyce. Along with them were the two bay horses Dede brought for the twins: Acorn and Nutmeg.

Did you read over the list of game animals? Tori asked. She raised her eyes over the top of the invitation. You have a chance at getting a boar.

Lets lower our expectations, Sonia replied as she held her hands up. JP and I arent exactly seasoned hunters. Im not sure Dede could get a boar by himself.

He said that theyre usually hunted by group effort, JP said. He knit his brows. Although, we will be in a group....

Knights cant kill game animals. They can track at most. Sonia sighed. It was a bit disappointing, but with many nobles present, it was likely that they all would have a pair guarding them. The guards or knights should keep their priority on the safety of their charges. Asking them to track was already asking for more than necessary.

Tori, what about Sir Axton and His Highness? How are their hunting skills? JP asked. The two had treated their training as if success depended completely on them because they didnt know the level of ability Axton and Piers had.

Axton has some experience, since hes had to hunt for food during training and at the border, but hes not great at it, Tori said. Her eyes drifted to the side. Im not so sure about Piers.... I dont even know if he knows how to use a bow and arrow. But hes good at practically everything, I bet hes good at archery, too. Unfair.

At least Sir Axton may be able to help, Sonia said. She looked at Tori. Dont get your hopes up for anything spectacular. At most, some rabbits, and pheasants.

Thats fair. Theyd only been learning for a few weeks.

How is it being scored? JP reached out his hand and Tori returned the invitation to him. The twins leaned in and flipped through to find the score sheet. Each animal was assigned a number by perceived difficulty. The infamous black boar of Fekete were scored the highest, at ten. Foxes were six, deer were only five; rabbits and weasels were three, and game birds were two.

There were several other animals listed, but Tori was trying to keep her expectations grounded. She didnt expect Sonia and JP to catch wild pigs, wolves, or exotic ungulates. If they were able to get some pheasants or a duck, shed be satisfied. But shed be even more satisfied if they hunted enough small game to topple the second prince.

I wish we knew who else is in the second princes party, Sonia said with a frown as she leaned back. Hell have the same number of knights, wont he?

Yes, and with the same restrictions on them. Von Dorn apparently has some archery experience, but I dont know if hes actively hunted. The same with the second prince.

Do you think theyd hire someone to hunt for their party?

Tori shook her head. Professional hunters or hunters related to a guild arent allowed. At most, they are friends invited, like you. I dont know who else the second prince can invite.

Sonia and JP looked at each other. Come to think of it, I dont know who else the second prince is acquainted enough with at Lyce aside from Guthry and Hart, JP said.

His sister nodded. And those two are on house arrest the rest of the summer.

He couldve invited another noble who doesnt go to Lyce, Tori said. A relative perhaps? The only one she could think of was Prince Emil, but she didnt know if he hunted.

I just realized that the second prince doesnt have many friends. Sonia looked a bit perplexed, as if shed never thought about it until now. She looked at her brother for verification. JP seemed to think for a moment before he hesitantly nodded.

He has a good relationship with most people, but I havent heard of him being close to many others. Obviously, hes around von Dorn, but hes not part of any extracurricular group. Guthry and Hart, of course. Ive seen him around Alvere, but not as much as Guthry and Hart. In fact, outside of them, he seems to keep to himself.

Huh.... Tori crossed her legs. If JP was right, then technically, Piers had more friends than Gideon. Perhaps not as many acquaintances, but as far as an actual friendship, Piers was quite friendly to her friends. Ewan and Albert in particular. This was surprising.

She looked out the window and craned her neck. Tori scooted to the side of the carriage and pressed her head against the window. Is that it? Is that Granite Tower?

Both JP and Sonia moved towards the window. JP reached forward and opened the latch to pull in the glass and they were able to get a better look at a tall, black tower rising from the ground in front of a backdrop of forested mountains.

Its granite and its a tower, Sonia said. Id say thats it.

According to what Tori looked into, Granite Tower was a six-story tall keep at the western-most corner of the Feketes ancestral castle. Like the other ancestral castles of the duchies, the center of the estate was the original ancient fortification while recent additions extended outwards. The entire complex was called Granite Tower, despite being an average of two stories.

However, the same black granite used for the keep made up the rest of the complex, making it look particularly harmonious despite the different architecture used through the ages. As they approached, they could make out the tall walls and the ivy that crawled up them. The carriage went through the town that had sprung up around the estate. To the west of the town were farms, but to the east of the estate was thick forest.

It was more a castle than a palace or manor house at first glance. The carriage followed a winding path through two gate houses to get to the courtyard just below the Granite Tower keep. If it was meant to intimidate, it did a good job.

They werent the only ones who had arrived. The courtyard had at least half a dozen carriages alone and even more riders on horseback. Their carriage had to wait a few minutes to get to the front doors, where Duchess Fekete and her husband were greeting arrivals.

Tori straightened her clothes. Shed left the delta in a summer dress from Lions Gate, but as the weather was a bit cooler at Granite Tower, she was now wearing one of the dresses gifted to her from Duchess Tetri that she had yet to wear. It was an ankle length, cobalt blue fitted dress with a pastel pink apron with pockets worn over a white linen blouse. While simple, the material was expensive. The dress was velvet.

She wore little jewelry; only her crystal bracelet, and had a leather satchel. Their footman opened the door and announced her arrival.

Countess Victoria de Guevera of Cosora!

Tori took a deep breath, straightened her back, and stepped out of the carriage.

Countess Tori! Duchess Fekete immediately came to greet her with her arms open. Welcome to Granite Tower!

Thank you for having us, Your Grace. Tori held out her arms and grasped the Duchess, giving her air kisses on the cheek before being released and bowing her head to Duke Fekete.

Are those clothes from Tetri? Duchess Fekete narrowed her eyes and swept up and down Toris figure as Sonia and JP stepped out of the carriage behind her.

Yes, I dont really have casual dresses suitable for this climate right now, so I thought-

This will not do! The Duchess cried out and lifted her hand. A woman rushed forward and bowed her head at her side. Prepare three sets of local dresses for the Countess in blues. Yes, she will look best in blues.

Nessa, dont put such pressure on the Countess.... the Duke sighed, but the Duchess ignored him.

No, shes in Fekete! She will wear Fekete clothing! Did we not wear Cosora Delta clothing in Cosora? The Duchess gave her husband a demanding look and he nodded. He gave Tori an apologetic look, but Tori barely managed to hold back her laughter and shook her head to silently assure him that it was fine.

I am happy to wear local dresses. I want to start a collection of regional clothing, Tori said. If any have particularly good embroidery, I will gift it to Ilyana. She is collecting embroidery work.

I will prepare a set for her, as well, the Duchess said. She turned to Sonia and JP and smiled. The Duchess had a bit of affinity for the twins, as she, too, was an equestrian and archer when she was in Lyce. Young Mister and Miss Vissage, a pleasure to see you again. I look forward to seeing if this years Three-Day Competition champions will be successful in the hunt.

Our hunting experience is limited, but we will try to represent Tori as best as possible, JP said as he and Sonia bowed their heads.

Oh, and you brought Alexander! The Duchess looked highly amused as she lowered her smiling eyes. Is he going on the hunt, too? she laughed.

Toris stiffened. She whirled around, following the Duchess gaze and found the fluffy gray cat sitting at her feet, as if hed always been there.

Alexander! What are you doing here? Tori bent down and swept him into her arms. Before she could ask the cat questions that she knew he wouldnt be able to answer, because he was a cat, another carriage rolled to a stop behind them.

The footman jumped down and the door to a modest new carriage opened. A voice rang through the courtyard.

Baroness Alessa Hart!